General range report, but praises....

[rwsmith]

Went to the range today to shoot my small SD guns. It's a different world and I'm going to have to put in some serious practice to consider myself proficient with these. But I believe it will make me a better all around shooter. Shot at mostly 5 yards but a little 3 yards and some 7.

Kel tec P11 - very light, hard on your hand, no fun to shoot and I'm just not very good with it. At 7 yards I had trouble hitting the target and at 5 I did better, but still not good. Just landed a few good shots out of each mag.

S&W model 36 snub - Now we are talking. +P ammo gave a bit of a snap but nothing uncomfortable. I'm nothing impressive with it but I can get used to this, I'm sure. MUCH more friendly than the Kel Tec.

NOW...........

The S&W Shield. My lord what a sweet gun. Very comfortable and fun to shoot, the trigger is a dream. I'm already good with it and shot some small enough groups at 5yds. I was as good at 7 yds, but I'm sure I can improve. The other two guns are just utility, but this thing is FUN.

 

[RJJ 1971]

Keltec - have to agree with you. Had the P11 and PF9. Think I actually liked the PF9 better.

38 snub - haven't shot one in 10 years.
Have a 4" now, and I can't hit consistently with it. Still need practice (lots of it).

M&P Shield - I absolutely hated my trigger. Too much take up for my taste. I have 3 co-workers that carry and standby by em.

Getting to go to the range is a reward in itself. Glad you got to go.

 

[rwsmith]

I had a 2" model 10

38 snub - haven't shot one in 10 years.
Have a 4" now, and I can't hit consistently with it. Still need practice (lots of it).

Getting to go to the range is a reward in itself. Glad you got to go.

I had a model 10 snub and I was AWFUL with it. I said that I could scare anybody off by firing six rounds without hitting anything. It was a beautiful gun and I had to sell it. But after getting the mod 36, I'm being more methodical and meticulous about getting good with it because I think it's a valuable carry tool. IF, that is, you can shoot it good.

And yes, I did have a great time and very productive learning experience.

 

[Fishslayer]

M&P Shield - I absolutely hated my trigger. Too much take up for my taste.

I thought striker triggers were all takeup...

 

[OMCHamlin]

I have a Model 15 2" that I can (or could, it's been a while) hit a paper plate tacked up at 50 yds. I also had a Model 640 that I once used to qualify on the old Navy course, on a bet with my crusty old Warrant Officer buddy. Not only did I qualify, I hit expert with it . Snubbies can shoot. But I doubt I could pull that off again.
KelTecs? My wife loves her P3AT and it is reliable and she can shoot it to good effect, so there is that, but in general, I agree with your comments about the P11, that had a terrible trigger and was hard to shoot.
I have several Kahr Arms pistols, a 380, a 9mm PM9 and a CW45, all are reliable and easy to shoot well.
My wife also has a Shield in 9mm and although I normally would have cleaned the trigger up a bit, I did nothing to that but put Ameriglo Spartan sights on it and she really likes it. I prefer my PM9, but to each his (or her) own, I guess.
Anyhow, rwsmith, if I were you, I would ditch that P11 and use the proceeds to buy ammo for the others . I see you are in Charleston, is ATP gun shop still a good shop down there?

 

[joeintexas]

I have a couple of snubbies I shoot and it did take me quite a bit of practice to get somewhat proficient. A S&W 13-1 with a 2 inch and a Ruger SP101 with a 2.25 inch. After much practice I can hit a paper plate at 20 yards so I'm good with that. Glad you had a good day at the range.

 

[rwsmith]

Howdy...

I have a Model 15 2" that I can (or could, it's been a while) hit a paper plate tacked up at 50 yds. I also had a Model 640 that I once used to qualify on the old Navy course, on a bet with my crusty old Warrant Officer buddy. Not only did I qualify, I hit expert with it . Snubbies can shoot. But I doubt I could pull that off again.
KelTecs? My wife loves her P3AT and it is reliable and she can shoot it to good effect, so there is that, but in general, I agree with your comments about the P11, that had a terrible trigger and was hard to shoot.
I have several Kahr Arms pistols, a 380, a 9mm PM9 and a CW45, all are reliable and easy to shoot well.
My wife also has a Shield in 9mm and although I normally would have cleaned the trigger up a bit, I did nothing to that but put Ameriglo Spartan sights on it and she really likes it. I prefer my PM9, but to each his (or her) own, I guess.
Anyhow, rwsmith, if I were you, I would ditch that P11 and use the proceeds to buy ammo for the others . I see you are in Charleston, is ATP gun shop still a good shop down there?

Hickok45 on Youtube shoots pocket snubs, better than I can shoot with my 6" 686. He was ringing gongs 4 out of five at 80 yards. Well, that tells me that it ain't the guns that are messing up. It's yours truly.

I think qualifying with a j frame snub is pretty darned impressive. The 640 line is peaches and cream.

I'm wondering about the value of the Kel Tec. The trigger is miserable. If your wife likes the P3AT, more power to her. Kahrs are a cut above, I think. I should have at least held out of the P9 Keltec. That's probably the only gun I've been sorry to have bought. A stashed gun to get to inside the house (close encounters only) would be one of the few uses for it. Or a truck gun as someone suggested.

ATP is about a mile from me and is still one of the most complete gun stores in the Charleston area and they keep a lot in stock. Their prices are hefty on a lot of items, but they've kept their prices down on powder and primers. I use their range, too.

Wayno